Demand broadcast channels and channel programming based on user viewing history, profiling, and requests

ABSTRACT

A system and method for scheduling media for consumption via a demand broadcast channel based upon notifications received during user consumption of media. An embodiment of the present invention may employ notifications generated when users select media for consumption, to calculate one or more statistics. The statistics may be calculated and used by a media provider to schedule media into a demand broadcast channel in which the frequency of repetition or time of availability of the media is set according to a ranking of the relative frequency of requests for the media. The statistics may also be shared with a third party, to enable a third party media provider to arrange the scheduling of media availability according to the relative frequency of requests for the media.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0001] This application makes reference to, claims priority to, andclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.60/478,552, entitled “Demand Broadcast Channels And Channel ProgrammingBased On User Viewing History, Profiling, And Requests” (Attorney Docket15038US01 01042P-BP-2848), filed Jun. 13, 2003, U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/432,472, entitled “Personal Inter-Home MediaExchange Network” (Attorney Docket No. 14185US01 01001P-BP-2800), filedDec. 11, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/443,894,entitled “Personal Access And Control Of Media Peripherals On A MediaExchange Network” (Attorney Docket No. 14274US01 01002P-BP-2801), filedJan. 30, 2003, the complete subject matter of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.

[0002] In addition, the applicants hereby incorporate the completesubject matter herein by reference, in their entirety, of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/478,286, entitled “MediaProcessing System Communicating Activity Information To Support User AndUser Base Profiling And Consumption Feedback” (Attorney Docket No.15037US01 01041P-BP-2847), filed Jun. 13, 2003, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/448,705, entitled “Media Exchange Network WithMedia Guide Interface” (Attorney Docket No. 14330US01 01018P-BP-2819),filed Feb. 18, 2003, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.60/457,179, entitled “Server Architecture Supporting A Personal MediaExchange Network” (Attorney Docket No. 14825US01 01015P-BP-2831), filedMar. 25, 2003, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled“Personal Inter-Home Media Exchange Network” (Attorney Docket No.14185US02 01001P-BP-2800), filed Sep. 8, 2003, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. ______, entitled “Personal Access And Control OfMedia Peripherals On A Media Exchange Network” (Attorney Docket No.14274US02 01002P-BP-2801), filed Sep. 11, 2003.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0003] [Not Applicable]

SEQUENCE LISTING

[0004] [Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[0005] [Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In general, the program schedules of broadcast and cabletelevision channels are planned weeks or months in advance of being putinto effect. The selection of program materials and the sequence inwhich they are broadcast are based upon a number of factors including,for example, the subject matter, the target audience, the length of theprogram, an estimate of its audience acceptance, and the nature andpopularity of programs in competing time slots. Adjustments in day andtime of broadcast are sometimes made when the original schedule provesunsuitable, or when other program offerings are better suited for thattime period.

[0007] When adjustments in program schedules are made, they aregenerally made using the same process used to create the originalschedule based upon user polls and decisions by programmingprofessionals. This process is slow to respond and is not suited to therebroadcast of popular program content.

[0008] New subscribers to cable and video-on-demand (pay-per-view)services are normally asked to choose from an assortment of channel orviewing selections. If they are new to the cable service or programmingprovider, they may be unaware of the nature of the programs and may beunable to effectively choose the channel or program selections that theyare most likely to enjoy. The delay in the availability of programratings made using current processes may provide little support for theselection of program and service options.

[0009] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional andtraditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art,through comparison of such systems with the present invention as setforth in the remainder of the present application with reference to thedrawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Aspects of the present invention may be found in a methodsupporting communication of activity information to enable mediaprogramming. Such a method may comprise receiving, via a communicationnetwork, at least one notification of a user request for consumption ofmedia, and each of the at least one notification may compriseinformation related to the request. An embodiment of the presentinvention may comprise calculating at least one statistic using theinformation related to the request, and identifying media using the atleast one statistic. In addition, an embodiment of the present inventionmay comprise scheduling the identified media according to the at leastone statistic for consumption via the communication network, andupdating a user interface with the scheduled identified media. Theinformation related to the request may comprise at least one of anInternet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, anelectronic serial number (ESN), a title, a subject, a time period, agenre, an artist, a media channel type, a mode, a language, and a useridentifier. The communication network may comprise at least one of acable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digitalsubscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, anintranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and a wirelessinfrastructure, and the communication network may be the Internet.

[0011] In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, themedia may comprise at least one of audio, a still image, video, realtime video, and data, and consumption may comprise at least one ofplaying audio, displaying a still image, displaying video, anddisplaying data. At least one of the calculating, identifying,scheduling, and updating may be performed on a periodic basis, and theat least one statistic may be a ranking of the relative frequency ofconsumption of media.

[0012] Additional aspects of the present invention may be seen in amethod supporting communication of activity information to enable mediaprogramming. An embodiment in accordance with the present invention maycomprise receiving, via a communication network, at least onenotification of a user request for consumption of media. Each of the atleast one notification may comprise information related to the request.Such a method may also comprise calculating at least one statistic usingthe information related to the request, identifying media using the atleast one statistic, and communicating at least one of the identifiedmedia and the at least one statistic to a provider of the media, via thecommunication network. The information related to the request maycomprise at least one of an Internet protocol (IP) address, a mediaaccess control (MAC) address, an electronic serial number (ESN), atitle, a subject, a time period, a genre, an artist, a media channeltype, a mode, a language, and a user identifier.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the communicationnetwork may comprise at least one of a cable infrastructure, a satellitenetwork infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure,an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wiredinfrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure, and the communicationnetwork may be the Internet. The media may comprise at least one ofaudio, a still image, video, real time video, and data, and consumptionmay comprise at least one of playing audio, displaying a still image,displaying video, and displaying data. In addition, at least one of thecalculating, identifying, and communicating may be performed on aperiodic basis, and the at least one statistic may be a ranking of therelative frequency of consumption of media.

[0014] Yet other aspects of the present invention may be observed in asystem supporting communication of activity information to enable mediaprogramming. Such a system may comprise a television display, a storagefor storing media, a user interface accessible via the televisiondisplay, and set top box circuitry communicatively coupling the storageto a communication network to support consumption of the selected media.The storage may have an associated network address and the userinterface may support the selection of media for consumption. Anembodiment of the present invention may comprise server software thatreceives, via the communication network, a notification comprising atleast one of the associated network address and information related tothe media selected for consumption. The server software may respond bycalculating at least one statistic.

[0015] The media in an embodiment of the present invention may compriseat least one of audio, a still image, video, real time video, and data,and consumption may comprise at least one of playing audio, displaying astill image, displaying video, and displaying data. In variousembodiments of the present invention, the associated network address maybe one of an Internet protocol (IP) address, a media access control(MAC) address, and an electronic serial number (ESN). The communicationnetwork may comprise at least one of a cable infrastructure, a satellitenetwork infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure,an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wiredinfrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure. In an embodiment inaccordance with the present invention, the information related to mediaselected for consumption may comprise at least one of a title, asubject, a time period, a genre, an artist, a media channel type, amode, a language, and a user identifier. The at least one statistic maybe a ranking of the relative frequency of consumption of media.

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention may comprise serversoftware that schedules the availability of media, based upon the atleast one statistic, and the server software may perform the schedulingthe availability of media on a periodic basis. Another embodiment of thepresent invention may comprise server software that shares, with a thirdparty, the at least one statistic.

[0017] These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of thepresent invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodimentthereof, will be more fully understood from the following descriptionand drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a media exchange network inwhich an embodiment of the present invention may be practiced.

[0019]FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of amedia exchange network supporting demand broadcast channels and channelprogramming based on user viewing history, profiling, and requests, inaccordance with the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 1C illustrates an exemplary media guide interface (a.k.a.,“channel view”), in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0021]FIG. 1D is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of amedia guide interface similar to the media guide interface of FIG. 1C,but to which has been added two demand broadcast channels, “DemandBroadcast Channel #1” and “Demand Broadcast Channel #2”, in accordancewith the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method ofproviding a demand broadcast channel in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a first exemplary mediaexchange network in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of performing personal mediaexchange over a second exemplary media exchange network in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of performing third-partymedia exchange over a third exemplary media exchange network inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 6 is an exemplary illustration of a media guide userinterface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 7 is an exemplary illustration of several instantiations of amedia guide user interface of FIG. 4 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0028]FIG. 8 is an exemplary illustration of a media guide userinterface showing several options of a pushed media in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 9A is a schematic block diagram of a media processing system(MPS) interfacing to media capture peripherals in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

[0030]FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative embodiment of a mediaprocessing system (MPS) in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention.

[0031]FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a PC and an MPSinterfacing to a server on a media exchange network in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a PC interfacing topersonal media capture devices and remote media storage on a mediaexchange network in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to themonitoring of television viewer behavior and the scheduling ofentertainment programming choices. In particular, certain embodiments ofthe present invention employ user activity information to enable thecreation, scheduling, and distribution of demand broadcast channelsbased upon user viewing history, profiling, and requests.

[0034]FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a media exchange network 100 inwhich an embodiment of the present invention may be practiced. The mediaexchange network 100 is a communication network comprising a MPS (mediaprocessing system) 102 at a 1^(st) subscriber 101, a MPS 107 at a 2^(nd)subscriber 106, and a PC 117 at a third subscriber 116. The MPS 102 isconnected to broadband access headend 108 which connects to WANinfrastructure 111. Likewise, the MPS 107 is connected to broadbandaccess headend 110 which provides connectivity to WAN infrastructure111. The media exchange network 100 further comprises a 3^(rd) partyservice provider 112, a 3^(rd) party sales provider 113, a 3^(rd) partymedia provider 114, and a broadcast channel provider 109. Wide-areanetwork (WAN) infrastructure 111 provides connectivity between the MPS's102 and 107, and the PC 117, and permits access to 3^(rd) party serviceprovider 112, 3^(rd) party sales provider 113, 3^(rd) party mediaprovider 114, and broadcast channel provider 109. The WAN infrastructure111 may comprise, for example, cable infrastructure, a satellite networkinfrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, anInternet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wiredinfrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure, or any combination of theabove. The fact that illustration of FIG. 1A shows two MPS's 102 and107, and a single PC 117 is not intended to represent a limitation ofthe present invention. The media exchange network 100 may comprise anynumber of MPS's and PC's without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention. Each of the entities within the media exchangenetwork 100 may be identified using a network or protocol address suchas, for example, an Internet protocol (IP) address, a media accesscontrol (MAC) address, and an electronic serial number (ESN).

[0035] The MPS's (102 and 107) may be, for example, enhancedset-top-boxes. The MPS's (102 and 107) may each include a TV screen suchas the TV screen 103 of the MPS 102 for viewing and interacting withvarious user interfaces, media, data, and services that are available onthe media exchange network 100 using, for example, a remote control suchas the remote control 104 associated with the MPS 102. The PC 117 mayinclude a PC monitor for viewing and interacting with various userinterfaces, media, data, and services that are available on the mediaexchange network using, for example, a keyboard and mouse. The MPS's(102 and 107), and the PC 117 include functional software to supportinteraction with the various elements of the media exchange network 100,in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention,a MPS may comprise a set-top-box (STB), a PC, or a TV with a mediamanagement system (MMS). A MMS is also known herein as a media exchangesoftware (MES) platform.

[0037] A MMS comprises a software platform operating on at least oneprocessor to provide certain functionality including user interfacefunctionality, distributed storage functionality, and networkingfunctionality. For example, a MMS may provide control of mediaperipheral devices, status monitoring of media peripheral devices, andinter-home MPS routing selection, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0038] For example, the MPS's (102 and 107) and the PC 117 comprise amedia exchange software (MES) platform 105. Further details of a mediaexchange software platform are provided below with respect to FIG. 3.The MES platform 105 on the MPS 102, and similarly the MES platforms onMPS 107 and PC 117, support personalized views of media channels and theset up of new media channels on the media exchange network 100. Forexample, the MES platform 105 provides a format, displayed on a monitorof the MPS 102, comprising a media guide user interface, or “channelview”, to allow a user to set up a personalized view of the media guideuser interface using a remote control 104. An example media guide userinterface is described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.60/448,705, entitled “Media Exchange Network With Media Guide Interface”(Attorney Docket No. 14330US01 01018P-BP-2819), filed Feb. 18, , thecomplete subject matter of which is hereby incorporate herein byreference, in its entirety. The MES platform 105 also provides thefunctionality for a user of the MPS 102 to set up one or more mediachannels in his personalized view.

[0039] In general, the MPS's (102 and 107) and the PC 117 each include amedia exchange software (MES) platform and a networking component forconnectivity. The MES platform provides multiple capabilities includingmedia “push” capability, media “access” capability, media channelconstruction/selection, image sequence selection, text and voiceoverlay, channel and program naming, inter-home routing selection,authorship and media rights management, shared inter-home mediaexperience, billing service, and an integrated media guide interfacewith a TV channel guide look-and-feel.

[0040]FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of amedia exchange network 130 supporting demand broadcast channels andchannel programming based on user viewing history, profiling, andrequests, in accordance with the present invention. Similar to the mediaexchange network 100 of FIG. 1A, the media exchange network 130 of FIG.1B comprises a MPS 132 at a 1st subscriber 131, a MPS 134 at a 2^(nd)subscriber 133, and a PC 144 at a 3^(rd) subscriber 143. The mediaexchange network 130 further comprises a 3^(rd) party service provider139, a 3^(rd) party sales provider 140, a 3^(rd) party media provider141, and a broadcast channel provider 136. The wide-area network (WAN)infrastructure 138 provides connectivity between the MPS's 132, 134 andthe PC 139, and permits access to 3^(rd) party service provider 139,3^(rd) party sales provider 140, and 3^(rd) party media provider 141. Asis the case for WAN infrastructure 111, above, the WAN infrastructure138 may comprise, for example, cable infrastructure, a satellite networkinfrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, anInternet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wiredinfrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure, or any combination of theabove. Although the illustration of FIG. 1B shows a particularcomplement of MPS's and PC's, the present invention is not limited inthis regard.

[0041] As in the exemplary media exchange network of FIG. 1A, the MPS's(132 and 134) of FIG. 1B may be, for example, enhanced set-top-boxes andmay each include a TV screen and a remote control, such as the TV screen102 and remote control 104 of the MPS 102 in FIG. 1A. The PC 144 mayinclude a PC monitor, a keyboard, and mouse. The MPS's 132 and 134, andthe PC 144 include functional software to support interaction with thevarious elements of the media exchange network 130, in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] In addition to the elements described above, the media exchangenetwork of FIG. 1B comprises a 3^(rd) party monitoring service 142. The3^(rd) party monitoring service 142 is connected to the WANinfrastructure 138, which provides connectivity to the MPS's 132, 134 ofthe 1^(st) and 2^(nd) subscribers 131, 133, respectively, the PC 144 ofthe 3^(rd) subscriber 143, and the 3^(rd) party service provider 139,the 3^(rd) party sales provider 140, and the 3^(rd) party media provider141. An example of a 3^(rd) party monitoring service such as 3^(rd)party monitoring service 142 may be found in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/478,286, entitled “Media Processing SystemCommunicating Activity Information To Support User And User BaseProfiling And Consumption Feedback” (Attorney Docket No. 15037US0101041P-BP-2847), filed Jun. 13, 2003, the complete subject matter ofwhich is hereby incorporate herein, in its entirety.

[0043] In the exemplary media exchange network 130 of FIG. 1B, eachactivity by a media exchange network 130 user entity that results in theconsumption of media channel content, such as the media channels exposedby 3^(rd) party service provider 139, 3^(rd) party sales provider 140,or 3^(rd) party media provider 141, or broadcast channel provider 136,initiates the transmission of activity information to the 3^(rd) partymonitoring service 142. It is a function of 3^(rd) party monitoringservice 142 to process the activity information from subscriberterminals such as, for example, the MPS's 132, 134 or the PC 144 of FIG.1B, for later use by those organizations that may have interest in mediachannel access and consumption. In the example of FIG. 1B, the useractivity information is transmitted to broadcast channel provider 136,to support the creation of one or more demand broadcast channels.Additional details of the nature of demand broadcast channels will beprovided below, with relation to FIGS. 1C and 1D.

[0044] The following example illustrates a process by which useractivity information is generated and collected, with reference to FIG.1B. In FIG. 1B, the 1^(st) subscriber 131 selects one of the mediachannels listed on their personal media guide user interface, asdisplayed on the TV screen 123 of the MPS 132. This selection may beperformed using, for example, a remote control such as the remotecontrol 104 of FIG. 1A. For the purposes of this example, let us assumethat the selected media channel was exposed by the broadcast mediaprovider 136, and that broadcast media provider 136 is the designatedinformation recipient of any activity information related to mediachannel(s) exposed by broadcast media provider 136. The designation ofan information recipient of activity information may be made through anactivity monitor parameters screen (not shown) displayed on the TVscreen 123 of the MPS 132. An example of one embodiment of an activitymonitor parameters screen is shown and described in U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Serial No. 60/478,286, entitled “Media ProcessingSystem Communicating Activity Information To Support User And User BaseProfiling And Consumption Feedback” (Attorney Docket No. 15037US0101041P-BP-2847), filed Jun. 13, 2003, the complete substance of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

[0045] In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, theact of selecting a media channel for consumption may cause the MPS 132to examine the characteristics of the selected media channel, todetermine whether activity information about the selected media channelaccess should be transmitted to, for example, the 3^(rd) partymonitoring service 142. If the characteristics of the selected mediachannel and other factors such as, for example, the time-of-day or date,are determined to be appropriate, the MPS 132 transmits the activityinformation 145 a to the designated information recipient via mediaexchange network 130. In this example, the information recipient for theMPS's 132, 134, and the PC 144 is 3^(rd) party monitoring service 142.The activity information 145 a from 1St subscriber 131, along with, forexample, the activity information 146 a from the 2^(nd) subscriber 133,and the activity information 147 a from the 3^(rd) subscriber 143, aredelivered via WAN infrastructure 138 to the 3^(rd) party monitoringservice 142 as part of activity information stream 148. The 3^(rd) partymonitoring service 142 processes the incoming activity informationstream 148, and transmits the processed activity information 149 a tothe WAN infrastructure 138, which delivers it to broadcast mediaprovider 136 as processed activity information 149 b.

[0046]FIG. 1C illustrates an exemplary media guide interface 160(a.k.a., “channel view”), in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The illustration of FIG. 1C shows a media guideinterface 160 in a tabular format comprising rows representing mediachannels, and columns containing program schedule information 161. Themedia guide interface 160 is suitable for display on a TV screen or PCmonitor, such as TV screen 172. Included in media guide interface 160are three “Personal” media channels 162, two “Friend's and Family's”media channels 163, and four “3^(rd) Party Broadcast” media channels164. The media guide interface 160 also comprises a time periodindication 165 of the “month”, “day”, and “year” for which the mediaguide screen 160 is defined. Note that media guide interface 160 may bedefined in units other than that shown, for example, “week” and “year”,“month” and “day”, “week” and “day of week”, without departing from thespirit of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 1C, media guideinterface 160 encompasses the time period from 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM onthe date indicated by time period indication 165.

[0047] As described above, the media guide interface 160 of FIG. 1Cincludes 3^(rd) party broadcast media channels 164 comprising broadcastmedia channels “Life and Medicine” 173, “The History Channel” 174, “FOX”175, and “NBC” 176. Each of these broadcast media channels have theirown broadcast schedules. For example, the broadcast media channel “Lifeand Medicine” 173 has “Program C” 166 scheduled for broadcast at 6:00PM, and “The History Channel” 174 has “Program D” 169 scheduled forbroadcast at 10:00 PM. The broadcast media channel “FOX” 175 has“Program A” 167” scheduled for broadcast at 6:00 PM, while “NBC” 176 has“Program B” 168 scheduled for broadcast at 7:00 PM and “Program E” 170scheduled for broadcast at 11:00 PM.

[0048]FIG. 1D is a diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of amedia guide interface 180 similar to the media guide interface 160 ofFIG. 1C, but to which has been added two demand broadcast channels,“Demand Broadcast Channel #1” 193 and “Demand Broadcast Channel #2” 194,in accordance with the present invention. The illustration of FIG. 1Dshows a media guide interface 180 in a tabular format comprising rowsrepresenting media channels, and columns containing program scheduleinformation 181. The media guide interface 180 is suitable for displayon a TV screen or PC monitor, such as TV screen 172 of FIG. 1C. Includedin media guide interface 180 are three “Personal” media channels 183,two “Friend's and Family's” media channels 184, and four “3^(rd) PartyBroadcast” media channels 185. The media guide interface 180 alsocomprises a time period indication 186 of the “month”, “day”, and “year”for which the media guide screen 180 is defined. Note that media guideinterface 180 may be defined in units other than that shown, forexample, “week” and “year”, “month” and “day”, “week” and “day of week”,without departing from the spirit of the invention. As in the example ofFIG. 1C, media guide interface 180 encompasses the time period from 6:00PM to 12:00 AM on the date indicated by time period indication 186.

[0049] The media guide interface 180 of FIG. 1D includes 3^(rd) partybroadcast media channels 185 comprising broadcast media channels “Lifeand Medicine” 195, “The History Channel” 196, “FOX” 197, and “NBC” 198.Each of these broadcast media channels have their own broadcastschedules. For example, the broadcast media channel “Life and Medicine”195 has “Program C” 187 scheduled for broadcast at 6:00 PM, and “TheHistory Channel” 196 has “Program D” 191 scheduled for broadcast at10:00 PM. The broadcast media channel “FOX” 197 has “Program A” 188scheduled for broadcast at 6:00 PM, while “NBC” 198 has “Program B” 189scheduled for broadcast at 7:00 PM and “Program E” 192 scheduled forbroadcast at 11:00 PM.

[0050] Let us assume that the activity information received andprocessed by a 3^(rd) party monitoring service such as the 3^(rd) partymonitoring service 142 of FIG. 1B indicates that the most popularprogram carried by 3^(rd) party broadcast channels 195, 196, 197, and198 of FIG. 1D is “Program D” 191, followed in decreasing order ofpopularity by “Program A” 188, “Program C” 187, “Program E” 192, and“Program B” 189. In one embodiment of the present invention, a broadcastchannel provider such as broadcast channel provider 136 of FIG. 1B mayemploy such processed activity information to create demand broadcastchannels, such as “Demand Broadcast Channel #1” 193 and “DemandBroadcast Channel #2” 194. The demand broadcast channels 193, 194 mayeach comprise a sequence of program materials selected from the 3^(rd)party broadcast channels 185, according to the popularity of the programmaterials as determined from user activity information.

[0051] For example, in the illustration of FIG. 1D, the demand broadcastchannel “Demand Broadcast Channel #1” 193 comprises a sequence ofprogram materials starting with the most popular program, “Program D” at7:00 PM, followed by the next most popular program, “Program A” at 8:00PM, followed by the next most popular program, “Program C” at 9:00 PMand so on. In the illustration, the demand broadcast channel “DemandBroadcast Channel #1” 193 comprises five program selections, which arerepeated beginning at 12:00 AM. While the demand broadcast channel”Demand Broadcast Channel #1” 193 in the example of FIG. 1D comprisesthe five most popular broadcast media channel program selections, thenumber or ordering is not a limitation of the present invention. Inanother embodiment, a demand broadcast channel such as, for example,“Demand Broadcast Channel #2” 194, may be offered using a repeatingpresentation of the single most popular program, in this case “ProgramD”. In such an embodiment, the most popular program from the 3^(rd)party broadcast media channels 185 may be selected periodically (e.g.,every 4 hours) and repeatedly broadcast until the next assessment ofprogram popularity is made. In another embodiment of the presentinvention, a demand broadcast channel such as the demand broadcastchannels 193, 194 of FIG. 1D may be created based upon direct viewerfeedback or requests. This information may be conveyed to the providerof the demand broadcast channel, such as broadcast channel provider 136,through a media exchange network or through other means, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention.

[0052]FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method ofproviding a demand broadcast channel in accordance with the presentinvention. The method illustrated in FIG. 2 is enabled when the users ofa media exchange network such as media exchange network 130 of FIG. 1B,consume programming from one or more broadcast media channels providedby a broadcast channel provider such as broadcast channel provider 136of FIG. 1B (block 201). Consuming the broadcast media channel contentcauses the user's media processing system or PC to send activityinformation identifying the consumed broadcast media channel content tothe broadcast channel provider (block 202). Upon receiving the useractivity information, the broadcast channel provider processes theactivity information to determine user demand for broadcast mediachannel content (block 203).

[0053] The broadcast channel provider then creates one or more demandbroadcast channels from the program content of the broadcast mediachannels based upon the processed activity information (block 204). Thedemand broadcast channels are then distributed to those users that havesubscribed to them (block 205).

[0054] A major challenge is to be able to transfer and share manydifferent types of digital media, data, and services between onedevice/location and another with ease while being able to index, manage,and store the digital media and data.

[0055] For example, it is desirable to be able to distribute and storemany types of digital media in a PC and/or television environment in auser-friendly manner without requiring many different types of softwareapplications and/or unique and dedicated interfaces. Any networkingissues or other technical issues should be transparent to the users. Itis also desirable to take advantage of existing hardware infrastructure,as much as possible, when providing such capability.

[0056] In an embodiment of the present invention, a media exchangenetwork is provided that enables many types of digital media, data,and/or services to be stored, indexed, viewed, searched for, pushed fromone user to another, and requested by users, using a media guide userinterface. The media exchange network also allows a user to constructpersonal media channels that comprise his personal digital media (e.g.,captured digital pictures, digital video, digital audio, etc.), requestthat third-party media channels be constructed from third-party digitalmedia, and access the media channels pushed to him by other users on themedia exchange network.

[0057] PC's may be used but are not required to interface to the mediaexchange network for the purpose of exchanging digital media, data, andservices. Instead, set-top-boxes or integrated MPS's (media processingsystems) may be used with the media exchange network to perform all ofthe previously described media exchange functions using a remote controlwith a television screen.

[0058] Current set-top-boxes may be software enhanced to create a MPSthat provides full media exchange network interfacing and functionalityvia a TV screen with a TV guide look-and-feel. PC's may be softwareenhanced as well and provide the same TV guide look-and-feel. Therefore,the media exchange network supports both PC's and MPS's in a similarmanner. Alternatively, a fully integrated MPS may be designed from theground up, having full MPS capability.

[0059] In the case of an MPS configuration, the user takes advantage ofhis remote control and TV screen to use the media exchange network. Inthe case of a PC configuration, the user takes advantage of his keyboardand/or mouse to use the media exchange network.

[0060] An MPS or enhanced PC is effectively a storage and distributionplatform for the exchange of personal and third party digital media,data, and services as well as for bringing the conventional televisionchannels to a user's home. An MPS and/or PC connects to the mediaexchange network via an existing communication infrastructure which mayinclude cable, DSL, satellite, etc. The connection to the communicationinfrastructure may be hard-wired or wireless.

[0061] The media exchange network allows users to effectively becometheir own broadcasters from their own homes by creating their own mediachannels and pushing those media channels to other authorized users onthe media exchange network, such as friends and family members.

[0062]FIG. 3 comprises a media exchange network 300 for exchanging andsharing digital media, data, and services in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The media exchange network 300 is asecure, closed network environment that is only accessible topre-defined users and service providers. The media exchange network ofFIG. 3 comprises a first PC 301 and a first media processing system(MPS) 302 at a user's home 303, a communication infrastructure 304,external processing hardware support 305, remote media storage 306, asecond PC 307 at a remote location 308 such as an office, and a secondMPS 309 at a parent's home 310.

[0063] The PC's 301 and 307 and the MPS's 302 and 309 each include amedia exchange software (MES) platform 311 and a networking component312 for connectivity. The MES platform 311 provides multiplecapabilities including media “push” capability, media “access”capability, media channel construction/selection, image sequenceselection, text and voice overlay, channel and program naming,inter-home routing selection, authorship and media rights management,shared inter-home media experience, billing service, and an integratedmedia guide interface providing a TV channel guide look-and-feel.

[0064] The external processing hardware support 305 comprises at leastone server such as a centralized internet server, a peer-to-peer server,or cable head end. The server may alternatively be distributed overvarious hosts or remote PC's. The MES platform 311 may also reside onthe external processing hardware support server 305. The remote mediastorage 306 may comprise user media storage and distribution systems 313and/or third party media storage and distribution systems 314.

[0065] The communication infrastructure 304 may comprise at least one ofinternet infrastructure, satellite infrastructure, cable infrastructure,dial-up infrastructure, cellular infrastructure, xDSL infrastructure,optical infrastructure, or some other infrastructure. The communicationinfrastructure 304 links the user's home 303, parent's home 310, remotemedia storage 306, and remote location office 308 to each other (i.e.,the communication infrastructure 304 links all users and serviceproviders of the media exchange network 300).

[0066] The various functions 315 of the media exchange network 300comprise generating personal network associations, personal storagemanagement, media capture device support,security/authentication/authorization support, authorship tracking andbilling and address registration and maintenance. These media exchangemanagement functions 315 may be distributed over various parts of themedia exchange network 300. For example, the personal networkassociations and personal storage management functions may be integratedin the PC 301 at the user's home 303.

[0067]FIG. 4 illustrates an example of personal media exchange over amedia exchange network 400 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In step 1, the media exchange software (MES) platform401 is used to construct personal media channels on a PC 402 by a userat “my house” 403. For example, with various media stored on the PC 402such as digital pictures 404, videos 405, and music 406, the MESplatform 401 allows the digital media to be organized by a user intoseveral channels having a media guide user interface 407 on the PC 402.

[0068] In step 2, the user at “my house” 403 pushes a media channel 408(e.g., “Joe's Music”) to “brother's house” 409 and pushes two mediachannels 410 and 411 (e.g., “Vacation Video” and “Kid's Pictures”) to“Mom's house” 412 via a peer-to-peer server 413 over the internet-basedmedia exchange network 400. “Brother's house” 409 includes a first MPS414 connected to the media exchange network 400. “Mom's house” 41 2includes a second MPS 415 connected to the media exchange network 400.The MPS's 414 and 415 also provide a media guide user interface 407.

[0069] In step 3, brother and/or Mom access the pushed media channelsvia their respective media processing systems (MPS's) 414 and 415 usingtheir respective MPS TV screens and remote controls.

[0070]FIG. 5 illustrates an example of third-party media exchange over amedia exchange network 500 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In step 1, a PC-initiated third-party request is madeby a first party 501 via an internet-based media exchange network 500using a media guide user interface 502 on a PC 503. In step 2, ananonymous delivery of the requested third-party channel 504 is made to asecond party 505 via the internet-based media exchange network 500. Instep 3, the second party 505 accesses the third-party channel 504 usinga media guide user interface 506 on a TV screen 507 that is integratedinto an MPS 508.

[0071] Similarly, in step A, an MPS-initiated third-party request ismade by a second party 505 via an internet-based media exchange network500 using a media guide user interface 506 on a TV screen 507 using aremote control 509. The second party 505 may key in a code, using hisremote control 509, that is correlated to a commercial or some otherthird party broadcast media. In step B, an anonymous delivery of therequested third-party channel 504 is made to a first party 501 via theinternet-based media exchange network 500. In step C, the first party501 accesses the third-party channel 504 using a media guide userinterface 502 on a PC 503.

[0072]FIG. 6 illustrates a media guide user interface 600 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The media guide userinterface 600 may be displayed on a TV screen 608 and controlled by aremote control device 609. Also, the media guide user interface 600 maybe displayed on a PC monitor and controlled by a keyboard or mouse.

[0073] The media guide user interface 600 may be configured not only forconventional TV channels but also for personal media channels 601 thatare constructed by a user of a media exchange network, friend's andfamily's media channels 602 constructed by friends and family, and thirdparty channels 603 that are constructed by third parties either uponrequest by a user of a media exchange network or based on a profile of auser.

[0074] The personal media channels 601 may include, for example, a“family vacations channel”, a “kid's sports channel”, a “my lifechannel”, a “son's life channel”, a “my music channel”, and a “kid'smusic channel”. The friends and family media channels 602 may include,for example, a “brother's channel”, a “Mom's channel”, and a “friend'schannel”. The third party media channels 603 may include, for example, a“Sears Fall sale channel” and a “car commercials channel”.

[0075] Each media channel may correspond to a schedule 604 showing, forexample, a week 605 and a year 606. For example, under the “kid's sportschannel”, Ty's soccer game could be scheduled to be viewed on Tuesday ofthe current week 605 and current year 606. For each media channel, asub-menu 607 allows for selection of certain control and accessfunctions such as “play”, “send to list”, “send to archive”, “confirmreceipt”, “view”, “purchase”, and “profile”.

[0076]FIG. 7 illustrates possible multiple instantiations of a mediaguide user interface 700 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The media guide user interface 700 may be viewed with aschedule having formats of, for example, “month, year”, “week#, year”,“day, week#”, or “hour, day”.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 8, a user of a media exchange network may pusha media channel (e.g., “Vacation in Alaska Video”) to a friend who is onthe same media exchange network. The media guide user interface 800 maygive the friend several options 801 for how to accept and download thepushed media in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] For example, a first, most expensive option 803 may be “ExpressDelivery” which would deliver the pushed media to the friend in 18minutes using queuing and cost $1.20, for example. The pushed media maybe stored in a file in an MPEG 2 format that was recorded at a rate of 4Mbps, for example. Queuing comprises buffering and delivering a previouspart of the media and then buffering and delivering a next part of themedia. For example, a first six minutes of the “Vacation in AlaskaVideo” may be buffered and delivered first, then a second six minutesmay be buffered and delivered next, and so on until the entire media isdelivered.

[0079] A second, less expensive option 802 may be “Normal Delivery”which would deliver the pushed media in 2 hours and 13 minutes withoutqueuing and cost $0.59, for example. The pushed media may be stored in afile in an MPEG 2 format that was recorded at a rate of 1.5 Mbps, forexample.

[0080] A third, least expensive option 804 may be “Overnight Delivery”which would deliver the pushed media by the next morning and cost only$0.05, for example. The pushed media may be stored in a file in an MPEG2 format that was recorded at a rate of 19 Mbps and stored on a server,for example.

[0081]FIG. 9A illustrates the detailed elements of a media processingsystem (MPS) 900 and media capture devices 901 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The media capture devices 901 maycomprise audio, video, and image players, such as digital cameras,digital camcorders, and MP3 players, that each include a temporarystorage area 902 and a communication interface 903 such as, for example,a USB interface or a wireless interface. The media capture devices 901have the capability to interface to an MPS and a PC.

[0082] The MPS 900 comprises a media processing unit (MPU) 904, remoteuser interface(s) 905, and a TV screen 918 to provide integrated mediaprocessing capability and indirect user interface capability. The remoteuser interfaces 905 may comprise a voice or keyed remote control 906,keyboards and pads 907, a remote PC access interface 908, and a remotemedia system access interface 909 (i.e., providing access from anotherMPS).

[0083] The media processing unit (MPU) 904 comprises TV and radio tuners910 for image and audio consumption, communications interfaces 911,channel processing 912 (creating, storing, indexing, viewing), storage913, media players 914 (CD, DVD, Tape, PVR, MP3), an integrated userinterface 915 (to provide a TV channel guide look-and-feel), networkingcomponents 916 to provide client functions such as consumption(billing), authorization (e.g., using digital certificates and digitalID's), registration, security, and connectivity. In an alternativeembodiment of the present invention, the networking components 916 mayinclude a distributed server element 917 that is part of a distributedserver.

[0084]FIG. 9B illustrates an alternative embodiment of a mediaprocessing system (MPS) 920 in accordance with various aspects of thepresent invention. The MPS 920 is essentially an enhanced set-top-boxfor viewing and interacting with various user interfaces, media, data,and services that are available on the media exchange network using, forexample, a remote control. The MPS 920 comprises a media peripheral 921,a MMS (media management system) 922, and a broadband communicationinterface 923.

[0085] The media peripheral 921 may include a TV (television), a PC(personal computer), and media players (e.g., a CD player, a DVD player,a tape player, and a MP3 player) for video, image, and audio consumptionof broadcast and/or personal channels. The broadband communicationinterface 923 may include internal modems (e.g., a cable modem or DSLmodem) or other interface devices in order to communicate with, forexample, a cable or satellite headend.

[0086] The MMS 922 includes a software platform to provide functionalityincluding media “push” capability, media “access” capability, mediachannel construction/selection, image sequence selection, text and voiceoverlay, channel and program naming, inter-home routing selection,authorship and media rights management, shared inter-home mediaexperience, billing service, and a media guide user interface providingan integrated TV channel guide look-and-feel.

[0087]FIG. 10 illustrates connectivity between a PC 1000, an MPS 1001,and external processing hardware 1002 (e.g., a server) in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The PC 1000 and MPS 1001include networking components 1003 to provide client functions such asconsumption (billing), authorization, registration, security, andconnectivity. Alternatively, the PC 1000 and MPS 1001 may include adistributed server element 1004 that is part of a distributed server.

[0088] The PC 1000 and MPS 1001 connect to the external processinghardware 1002 via wired or wireless connections. The external processinghardware 1002 comprises a distributed server or peer-to-peer server. Theexternal processing hardware 1002 also comprises communicationinterfaces 1005 (e.g., cable interfaces, optical interfaces, etc.) and amedia exchange software (MES) platform 1006. The MES platform 1006 inthe external processing hardware 1002 allows for communication with thePC 1000 and MPS 1001 which may also use the same MES platform 1006. Theexternal processing hardware 1002 also includes networking servercomponents 1007 to provide the similar client functions such asconsumption (billing), authorization, registration, security, andconnectivity at the server side.

[0089]FIG. 11 illustrates connectivity between a PC 1100, remote mediastorage 1101, and personal media capture devices 1102 when the PC 1100is used as the primary distributor of digital media such as in the caseof PC-to-PC operation, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The personal media capture devices 1102 and remote mediastorage 1101 connect to the PC 1100 via a wireless or wired connection.

[0090] The remote media storage 1101 provides user media storage anddistribution 1103 as well as third party media storage and distribution1104. The personal media capture devices 1102 provide temporary storage1114 and communication interfaces 1115.

[0091] Viewing is done using a PC monitor 1105 instead of a televisionscreen. The PC 1100 may include storage 1106, TV/radio tuners 1107 formedia consumption, media players 1108, and communication interfaces 1109and user interfaces 1110 similar to those for the MPS of FIG. 9A. The PC1100 includes a media exchange software (MES) platform 1111 thatprovides channel construction capability 1112 and networking capability1113. The channel construction capability 1112 allows third party andpersonal media access, sequencing, editing, media overlays and inserts,billing, scheduling, and addressing.

[0092] Various embodiments of the present invention include a system andmethod that provide demand broadcast channels and channel programmingbased on user viewing history, profiling, and requests.

[0093] While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method supporting communication of activityinformation to enable media programming, the method comprising:receiving, via a communication network, at least one notification of auser request for consumption of media, each of the at least onenotification comprising information related to the request; calculatingat least one statistic, using the information related to the request;identifying media using the at least one statistic; scheduling theidentified media according to the at least one statistic, forconsumption via the communication network; and updating a user interfacewith the scheduled identified media.
 2. The method of claim 1 whereinthe information comprises at least one of an Internet protocol (IP)address, a media access control (MAC) address, an electronic serialnumber (ESN), a title, a subject, a time period, a genre, an artist, amedia channel type, a mode, a language, and a user identifier.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the communication network comprises at leastone of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, adigital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internetinfrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, anda wireless infrastructure.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein thecommunication network is the Internet.
 5. The method of claim 1 whereinthe media comprises at least one of audio, a still image, video, realtime video, and data.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein consumptioncomprises at least one of playing audio, displaying a still image,displaying video, and displaying data.
 7. The method of claim 1 whereinat least one of the calculating, identifying, scheduling, and updatingis performed on a periodic basis.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein theat least one statistic is a ranking of the relative frequency ofconsumption of media.
 9. A method supporting communication of activityinformation to enable media programming, the method comprising:receiving, via a communication network, at least one notification of auser request for consumption of media, each of the at least onenotification comprising information related to the request; calculatingat least one statistic, using the information related to the request;identifying media using the at least one statistic; and communicating atleast one of the identified media and the at least one statistic to aprovider of the media, via the communication network.
 10. The method ofclaim 9 wherein the information related to the request comprises atleast one of an Internet protocol (IP) address, a media access control(MAC) address, an electronic serial number (ESN), a title, a subject, atime period, a genre, an artist, a media channel type, a mode, alanguage, and a user identifier.
 11. The method of claim 9 wherein thecommunication network comprises at least one of a cable infrastructure,a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL)infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure,a wired infrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure.
 12. The method ofclaim 9 wherein the communication network is the Internet.
 13. Themethod of claim 9 wherein the media comprises at least one of audio, astill image, video, real time video, and data.
 14. The method of claim 9wherein consumption comprises at least one of playing audio, displayinga still image, displaying video, and displaying data.
 15. The method ofclaim 9 wherein at least one of the calculating, identifying, andcommunicating is performed on a periodic basis.
 16. The method of claim9 wherein the at least one statistic is a ranking of the relativefrequency of consumption of media.
 17. A system supporting communicationof activity information to enable media programming, the systemcomprising: a television display; a storage for storing media, thestorage having an associated network address; a user interfaceaccessible via the television display, the user interface supporting theselection of media for consumption; set top box circuitrycommunicatively coupling the storage to a communication network tosupport consumption of the selected media; and server software thatreceives, via the communication network, a notification comprising atleast one of the associated network address and information related tothe media selected for consumption, and responds by calculating at leastone statistic.
 18. The system of claim 17 wherein the media comprises atleast one of audio, a still image, video, real time video, and data. 19.The system of claim 17 wherein consumption comprises at least one ofplaying audio, displaying a still image, displaying video, anddisplaying data.
 20. The system of claim 17 wherein the associatednetwork address is one of an Internet protocol (IP) address, a mediaaccess control (MAC) address, and an electronic serial number (ESN). 21.The system of claim 17 wherein the communication network comprises atleast one of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure,a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internetinfrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, anda wireless infrastructure.
 22. The system of claim 17 wherein theinformation related to media selected for consumption comprises at leastone of a title, a subject, a time period, a genre, an artist, a mediachannel type, a mode, a language, and a user identifier.
 23. The methodof claim 17 wherein the at least one statistic is a ranking of therelative frequency of consumption of media.
 24. The system of claim 17further comprising: server software that schedules the availability ofmedia, based upon the at least one statistic.
 25. The system of claim 24wherein the server software performs the scheduling of the availabilityof media on a periodic basis.
 26. The system of claim 17 furthercomprising: server software that shares, with a third party, the atleast one statistic.